Quick-Install Van

ABSTRACT

Presented is an improved cargo trailer and refrigerated trailer construction that in addition to providing an aerodynamic trailer also provides for a system that may be quickly assembled. The quick-install trailer includes six rigid frames including a roof frame, a floor frame, a front and rear frame, and two side frames. The frames interconnect with each other and provide support for the sidewalls that may be insulated. Rivets or self-tapping screws may be used to secure the various components together.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to insulated and dry goods trailers that can be quickly assembled and that also allow for damaged portions of the trailers to be quickly replaced with standardized components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Temporary structures such as tents, camping trailers, and canopies often have features that allow for their rapid assembly or deployment, however more permanent and robust structures such as a houses and cargo trailers typically lack features that allow for simplified and quick construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved cargo trailer and refrigerated trailer construction that in addition to providing an aerodynamic trailer also provides for a system that may be quickly assembled. The quick-install trailer includes six rigid frames including a roof frame, a floor frame, a front and rear frame, and two side frames. The frames interconnect with each other and provide support for the sidewalls that may be insulated. Rivets or self-tapping screws may be used to secure the various components together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows perspective view of the six frames of the quick-install trailer.

FIG. 2 shows an upper vertical sectional view along the length of the quick-install trailer.

FIG. 3 shows a lower vertical sectional view along the length of the quick-install trailer.

FIG. 4 shows an upper vertical sectional view along the width of the quick-install trailer.

FIG. 5 shows a lower vertical sectional view along the width of the quick-install trailer.

FIG. 6 shows a lower lengthwise horizontal section through the forward portion of an aerodynamic quick install trailer.

FIG. 7 shows a lower lengthwise horizontal section through the rear portion of an aerodynamic quick install trailer.

FIG. 8 shows an upper lengthwise vertical section through the front portion of an aerodynamic quick install trailer.

FIG. 9 shows a top plan sectional view through a front corner of an aerodynamic quick-install trailer.

FIG. 10 shows a lengthwise vertical section through an insulated and aerodynamic quick-install trailer.

FIG. 11 shows a widthwise vertical section through an insulated and aerodynamic quick-install trailer.

FIG. 12 shows a lengthwise horizontal section through an insulated and aerodynamic quick-install trailer.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view lengthwise vertical view of the front portion an aerodynamic quick-install trailer.

FIG. 14 is an isolated view of the posts of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention may be used with any type of cargo container that experiences drag and is particularly suited for containers that travel at high speeds and are frequently loaded and unloaded. However, for descriptive purposes the present invention will be described in use with over-the-road trailers.

FIG. 1 show the frames of the of the quick-install trailer. The front frame 1 is constructed from a top horizontal piece and a bottom horizontal piece connected together by two vertical portions. In one embodiment, the two horizontal pieces are interchangeable with each other such that the top horizontal piece may be used as the bottom horizontal piece. By allowing the frame piece to be installed in two possible configurations, the assembly process may be simplified. The roof frame 2 is configured to be secured to the front wall 1, the right side wall 3, the left side wall 4, and the rear frame 6. The left and right side walls (3 and 4) are identical to each other in one embodiment of the invention such that a single design of a piece may be used for both the left and right side walls. By using interchangeable components, the impact of damaged or miss formed components on the assembly/construction process is minimized. The floor 5 is bounded by the side walls (3 and 4) along with the front wall 1 and the rear frame 6. The rear frame 6 may include additional features such as reinforcements for door attachments (on the sides for swinging doors or the top for a roll up door), and the rear frame may also include structures for lights or attachment points for a rear underride guard.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show upper and lower vertical sectional views, respectively, along the length of the quick-install trailer. The lower front portion of the quick install trailer includes a front bottom rail cover plate 11 that is configured to be secured to the front bottom rail 12. In the illustrated example, the front bottom rail cover plate 11 includes an upper connector, a middle connector, and a lower connector that are adapted to interact and be secured to the front bottom rail 12. As seen in FIG. 3, the front bottom rail 12 includes complimentary features to the connectors of the front bottom rail cover plate. The front bottom rail 12 is generally T-shaped with additional flange on the forward most portion of the front bottom 12 that is adapted to connect to the front wall honeycomb panel 15. In one embodiment, the front bottom rail 12 is constructed from a highly resilient material such as metal while the front bottom rail cover plate 11 is constructed from a lightweight, but less resilient, material such as plastic.

In addition to the front bottom rail 12 connecting to the front wall honeycomb panel 15 the front top rail 13 secures the top of the panel 15. The front top rail 13 is secured to an exterior portion and top of the front wall honeycomb panel 15 while a decorative plate 14 of the top rail is secured to the interior of the panel 15. The decorative plate includes forward extending flange that is adapted to be secured into a pocket of the front top rail 13 that is located above the panel 15. The decorative plate 14 and the front top rail 13 cooperate to form a smooth, snag free surface from the roof 2 of the trailer to the panel 15. The front top rail 13 also cooperates with the roof front rail 21 to form a substantially smooth and aerodynamic exterior surface between the panel 15 and the roof 2.

A sealing strip 22 is utilized between the roof front rail 21 and the front top rail 13 to seal the interior of the cargo container. The sealing strip 22 is located on the leading edge of the cargo container and is expected to be subjected to a substantial amount of liquid in the form of rain, snow, and road spray so the sealing strip is preferably constructed of a material that will not rust, rot, or corrode when exposed to water, salt, or other chemicals commonly applied to road surfaces. Located near the sealing strip 22 in FIG. 2 is the “tongue bite” section of the front rail 21 and front top rail 13. A small flange from the front rail 21 is inserted into and tightly fits into a groove on the top rail 13.

On the rear of the trailer connected to the roof 2 is a rear gutter header 61 that is located about the rear door sill 62. The rear door sill 62 is preferably constructed of a highly resilient material that is capable of supporting machinery or vehicles that may be used in the loading and unloading of the cargo container. The front cross member 71 of the floor is secured to the front bottom rail 12 with self-tapping screws. Self-tapping screws 81 are also used to secure the front top rail 13 to the roof front rail 21 and rear gutter header 61 to the roof 2. While the self-tapping screws 81 are used to secure the inside portions of the container, the “tongue bite” features act to secure the exterior portions without exteriorly visible fasteners.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show upper and lower, respectively, vertical sectional views along the width of the quick-install trailer. The overall structure of the sidewalls shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is substantially similar to the front wall structures shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. By utilizing substantially similar shapes and designs, the installation/assembly process is simplified and errors or defects in the manufacturing process are more likely to be noticed and corrected. Similar materials may be used with both the front wall constructions and the side walls. Similar to the front bottom rail 12 and front bottom rail cover plate 11, the sidewall construction includes a bottom side rail cover 41 and a bottom side rail 42. The structures of FIGS. 4 and 5 also use the “tongue bite” structure to secure the exterior edges of container without exteriorly visible fasteners. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the bottom rails (12 and 42) are formed of extruded metal and are extruded from the same die but cut to different lengths. By utilizing the same tooling for multiple disparate components of the cargo container, the manufacturing process is simplified and the total cost of producing the cargo container is reduced.

Like the front top rail 13, decorative plate 14, and roof front rail 21, the side wall construction includes a top side rail 43, a decorative plate 44 of the top side rail, and a roof side rail 23. A sealing strip 22 is also used between the roof side rail 23 and the top side rail 43. The sidewall construction includes a decorative floor plate 52 that overlaps a portion of the floor 51 and interlocks with a scuff plate that protects the lower section of the honeycomb panel 45. Resilient floor cross members 72 are secured to the bottom side rail 42 with self-tapping screws 81. In one embodiment, the cross members 72 are I-beams with end flanges secured to the side bottom rail 42.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a horizontal sectional view of front and side walls. The construction of the vertical posts that connect the floor to the roof is substantially similar to the side rails shown in FIGS. 2 through 5. By standardizing components, the amount of tooling needed to produce the cargo containers is reduced and the assembly process of creating the containers is also simplified. In one embodiment, the cross section of items 17, 21 and 23 are identical, and the cross section of items 46, 43, and 13 are also identical. In the rear of the trailer, the rear post sectional material 46 is secured to the rearmost portion of the honeycomb panel 45. A left corner post 63 has a portion with a cross section substantially similar to that of items 17, 21, and 23 and is adapted to be secured to the rear post sectional material 46. The corner post 63 of the rear frame is constructed of resilient materials and may include apertures adapted to receive connectors used to secured doors onto the corner post 63. Similar to the previously described figures, self-tapping screws 81 are used to connect many of the pieces of the quick-install cargo container.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show vertical and horizontal cross sections, respectively, of the forward portions of a second embodiment of the quick-install trailer. In the alternate embodiment, rivets 100 are utilized instead of self-tapping screws to secure the various components together. In other embodiments, adhesive glues or spot welding is used to secure the components together. The rails/posts 105 of the alternate embodiment include a curved exterior shape that provides the trailer with an aerodynamic profile while the interior has corner cutout section that acts to maximize the interior space of the cargo container and better accommodate rectangular containers. As in the previous embodiment, the side wall section/top front rail (110 in FIGS. 8 and 9) is configured to interlock with the rails posts 105 and with a sealing strip 115 structured to provide a weathertight seal.

FIGS. 10 through 13 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention with posts and rails that accommodate substantially thicker panels used in refrigerated trailers. The bottom rail cover plate 211 and front bottom rail 212 are substantially similar to the cover plate 11 and bottom rail disclosed in relation to FIGS. 2-5. The bottom rail 212 is secured to a cross member 219 via bolts or nuts 220. The front top rail 213 of FIGS. 10-13 has the same exterior shape as the roof front rail 21 of FIGS. 2-5, but lacks the interior side in order to accommodate a thick insulating front panel 215. A fixed front top cover 214 acts to join the insulating front panel 215 with the roof panel 223. Rivets 221 are used to secure the top cover 214 to the panels (215, 223). A scuff 224 is also secured to the insulating front panel 215 and the floor foam board 225. Below the floor foam board 225 is an additional insulating panel. As best seen in FIG. 12, the front side rail 234 includes a catch section that is adapted to receive a sunk portion of the front wall side rail 233. The complimentary portions help secure the front side rail 234 to the front wall side rail 233. Additionally, a rivet 221 is used to mechanically fasten the two rails together. As shown in the figures, the rivet is sized so that it is flush with, or sunk into, the forward surface formed by the exteriors of the front side rail 234 and front wall side rail 233. Items 230 and 231 along with 213 and 216 have structures and features similar to those described in regards to FIG. 12.

FIG. 13 shows an exploded view lengthwise vertical view of the front portion an aerodynamic quick-install trailer. Adhesive (237 and 238) is used to help secure the front wall foam cover 215 to the front bottom rail 212, the scuff 224, the front top rail 213 and the front top cover 214. While mechanical fasteners are only minimally utilized on the exterior of the trailer to help the trailer maintain its refined appearance, rivets 221 may be used on the interior of container to provide a mechanical connection between the scuff 224 and front top cover 214.

FIG. 14 shows the posts of FIG. 6 in greater detail. The first post 300 includes a middle wall 305 extending from the exterior space 310 to the interior space. Flanking the middle wall 305 are a first tongue bite portion 320 and a second tongue bite portion 325. Extending, from the first tongue bite portion 320 is an exterior wall 330 that is perpendicular to the middle wall 305. An interior wall 335 extends from the second tongue bite portion 325 obliquely (or not perpendicularly) to both the middle wall 305 and the exterior wall 330. The interior wall 335 includes a screw aperture through which a screw 340 may be inserted. The first post 300 also includes a receiving wall 345 extending parallel to the middle wall 305. The middle wall 305 and the receiving wall 345 forming a pocket 350 that receives a flange 355 of an interior decorative plate 360. A junction wall 365 extends between the middle wall 305 and the receiving wall 345 further defining the pocket 350. The first tongue bite portion 320 is defined by the junction wall 365, the receiving wall 345, and the exterior wall 330. Extending from the middle wall 305 parallel to the exterior wall 330 are a first securing wall 370 and a second securing wall 375. The middle wall 305, the first securing wall 370, and the second securing wall 375 form the second tongue bite portion 325. The second securing wall 375 connects the interior wall 335 to the middle wall 305. The second post 380 (or span) has a center wall 385 flanked by a first flange 390 and a second flange 395. The first flange 390 is secured in the first tongue bite portion 320 while the second flange 395 is secured in the second tongue bite portion 325. A sealing strip 400 is adjacent to the first flange 390. The second post 380 also includes an angled wall 405 extending away from the second flange 395 parallel and adjacent to the interior wall 335. The angled wall 405 also has an aperture for the screw 340 or fastener. The second post 380 has a convex exterior wall 410 that extends between the first panel and the second panel. A portion of the convex exterior wall 410 is coplanar with the exterior wall 330 to form an aerodynamic connection.

It should be understood that the programs, processes, methods and system described herein are not related or limited to any particular type components unless indicated otherwise. Various combinations of general purpose, specialized or equivalent components may be used with or perform operations in accordance with the teachings described herein. In view of the wide variety of embodiments to which the principles of the present invention can be applied, it should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention. For example, more, fewer or equivalent elements may be used in the embodiments. 

We claim:
 1. A quick-assemble cargo container with an exterior and an interior space, the cargo container comprising: a sidewall panel bounded by a front frame post, a rear frame post, and a top rail post extending between the front frame post and the rear frame post; each of the posts including a first span defining a uniform cross section, the uniform cross section having: a middle wall extending from the exterior to the interior space, a first tongue bite portion and a second tongue bite portions, the tongue bite portions flanking the middle wall; an exterior wall extending from the first tongue bite portion perpendicularly to the middle wall, and an interior wall extending from the second tongue bite portion obliquely to both the middle wall and the exterior wall.
 2. The cargo container of claim 1, wherein interior wall of the front frame post includes a screw aperture.
 3. The cargo container of claim 1, wherein the uniform cross section includes a receiving wall extending parallel to the middle wall, the receiving wall and middle wall forming a pocket adapted to receive a flange from an interior decorative plate.
 4. The cargo container of claim 1, wherein the uniform cross section includes a receiving wall extending parallel to the middle wall, a junction wall extending parallel to the exterior wall and connecting the receiving wall to the middle wall, the first tongue bite portion defined by the junction wall, the receiving wall, and the exterior wall.
 5. The cargo container of claim 4, wherein the uniform cross section includes a first securing wall and a second securing wall, the securing walls extending parallel to the exterior wall and from the middle wall; the second tongue bite portion defined by the first securing wall, the second securing wall, and the middle wall.
 6. The cargo container of claim 5, wherein uniform cross section includes the second securing wall connecting the middle wall to the interior wall.
 7. The cargo container of claim 1, further comprising each of the posts including a second span further defining the uniform cross section, the uniform cross section including a center wall of the second span extending parallel to the middle wall of the first span, the center wall flanked by a first flange and a second flange, the first flange secured in the first tongue bite portion, and the second flange secured in the second tongue bite portion.
 8. The cargo container of claim 7, further comprising the uniform form cross section including a sealing strip adjacent to the first flange.
 9. The cargo container of claim 7, further comprising the uniform cross section including an angled wall of the second span extending away from the second flange adjacent to the interior wall.
 10. The cargo container of claim 10, further comprising the interior wall including a first screw aperture aligned with the a second screw aperture of the angled wall.
 11. A corner of sidewall for a quick-assemble container with an interior, the corner comprising: a first panel oriented perpendicular to a second panel; a first post directly connected both the first panel and a second post; the second post directly connected to the second panel; the first post having a first exterior wall adjacent to an exterior side of the first panel, a first interior wall originating proximate to and extend away from an interior side of the first panel, a first end wall extending between the first exterior wall and first interior wall, and a first tongue bite portion adjacent the first end wall; the second post having a second exterior wall extending from the first panel to the second panel, a first portion of the second exterior wall coplanar with the first exterior wall, a second interior wall parallel and adjacent to the first interior wall, a second end wall extending between the second exterior wall and the second interior wall, and a second tongue bite portion adjacent to the second end wall and interlocking with the first tongue bite portion.
 12. The corner of claim 11, wherein the first panel is a side panel and the second panel is a front panel.
 13. The corner of claim 11, wherein the first panel is a side panel and the second panel is a roof panel.
 14. The corner of claim 11, further comprising a fastener extending through both the first interior wall and the second interior wall, and a sealing strip located adjacent to both the first tongue bite portion and the second tongue bite portion and located between the first end wall and the second end wall.
 15. The corner of claim 11, wherein the first post includes a third tongue bite portion adjacent the first end wall and distant from the first tongue bite portion, the second post includes a fourth tongue bite portion adjacent to the second end wall, and the third tongue bite portion interlocks with the fourth tongue bite portion.
 16. The corner of claim 11, further comprising an interior plate with a flange, and wherein the first post includes a third end wall spaced apart and parallel the first end wall, the first end wall and third end wall forming a pocket, the flange of the interior plate secured within the pocket.
 17. The corner of claim 11, wherein the second exterior wall is convex, and a portion of the second interior wall is coplanar with the first exterior wall.
 18. The corner of claim 11, wherein both the first exterior wall and the second exterior wall include portions adjacent to the first tongue bite portion, and both the first interior wall and the second interior wall include portions adjacent to the third tongue bit portion.
 19. The corner of claim 11, wherein the first post includes a junction wall extending perpendicular to the first end wall, a third end wall extending from the junction wall parallel to the first end wall between the first panel and the first end wall.
 20. The corner of claim 19, wherein the junction wall, the third end wall, and the first exterior wall form the first tongue bite portion. 